Cambodia Travel Safety — Moderate Risk – Stay Alert | TouristAlert.com
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Cambodia

Updated about 2 months ago
A body of water with a tree stump in the foreground
Photo by Sooi Meeus on Unsplash
Moderate Risk

Stay Alert

Cambodia is generally safe for travelers, but petty crime and road safety issues are persistent in tourist hubs like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Political tensions are usually low-impact for visitors, yet healthcare limitations and occasional scams mean you should plan with caution and keep good situational awareness.

Key Risks
  • Bag-snatching and phone theft from tuk-tuks and motorbikes, especially in Phnom Penh
  • Scams and overcharging (tours, taxis/tuk-tuks, money exchange, nightlife bills)
  • Road accidents due to poor driving standards, weak enforcement, and limited emergency response
  • Health risks: dengue and other mosquito-borne illness, heat illness, and limited high-quality medical care outside major cities
  • Legacy landmines/UXO in remote border/rural areas—stay on marked paths and avoid unofficial trails
Daily Costs (USD)
Hostel$12
Hotel$45
Apartment$40
Transport$10
Coffee$2.2
Beer$1.5
Sandwich$4
Dinner (2)$18

Estimates only. Prices vary by season, neighbourhood, and personal spending habits. Always check current prices before travelling.

Safety Scorecard
⚔️Conflict

Armed conflict, military tensions & territorial disputes.

9/10 · Excellent
🚨Terrorism

Risk based on recent threat levels & incidents.

9/10 · Excellent
🔪Violent Crime

Murder, assault, robbery & armed attacks.

7/10 · Good
🎭Petty Crime & Scams

Pickpocketing, bag-snatching & tourist scams.

5/10 · Fair
🏛️Political Stability

Strength & stability of the government.

5/10 · Fair
🏥Health

Disease risk, healthcare quality & availability.

4/10 · Poor
🌪️Natural Disaster

Earthquake, flood, cyclone & volcanic activity risk.

6/10 · Fair
🚌Infrastructure

Transport safety, roads & emergency services.

4/10 · Poor
🤝Social & Cultural

Welcomeness for solo female & LGBTQ+ travellers.

7/10 · Good
🍽️Food & Water

Food poisoning risk & tap water safety.

4/10 · Poor

Scores 1–10 · 10 = best · 1 = worst

Travel News
News

Ongoing Armed Conflict at Cambodia-Thailand Border

Travelers are advised to avoid areas within 50 km of the Cambodia-Thailand border due to ongoing military clashes, including airstrikes, between Cambodian and Thai forces. Land border crossings remain closed, impacting local transport and safety.

GOV.UK· 18 April 2026
News

Cambodia Travel Advisory: High Risks in Border Areas

The U.S. Embassy has issued a travel advisory warning against all travel to areas near the Cambodia-Thailand border due to recent violence and military activity.

U.S. Embassy in Cambodia· 18 April 2026
News

Severe Weather Causes Flight Disruptions in April

A fresh wave of aviation disruptions due to weather, strikes, and congestion has led to numerous flight delays affecting routes to and from Cambodia.

The Traveler· 18 April 2026
News

Cambodia Cambodia-Khmer New Year Road Safety Alerts

Authorities reported 17 fatalities during the Khmer New Year celebrations, emphasizing road safety as traffic incidents spike during major events.

Phnom Penh Post· 18 April 2026
News

Health Advisory: Increased Petty Crime in Cities

Travelers in urban areas should remain vigilant as petty crime rates have reportedly increased, particularly in tourist-frequented locations.

Government of Canada· 18 April 2026

Updated about 2 months ago

Why Visit?

Cambodia rewards travelers with the temple grandeur of Angkor, soulful riverside cities, and a food scene that swings from peppery Kampot crab to smoky street-grilled skewers. Beyond the headline sights, slow travel shines here: floating villages, jungle-covered ruins, and warm local hospitality in smaller towns.

5 Things To Do
  1. 1
    Angkor Archaeological Park (Sunrise to sunset)

    Cycle or tuk-tuk between Angkor Wat, Bayon’s stone faces, and Ta Prohm’s root-wrapped corridors. Go early for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, then finish with golden-hour views from a quieter temple.

  2. 2
    Phnom Penh’s history and riverside evenings

    Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek to understand Cambodia’s modern history with care and context. Unwind later along the Sisowath Quay riverfront with markets, cafés, and sunset boats.

  3. 3
    Battambang by bamboo train and countryside

    Ride the playful bamboo “norry” and explore rural lanes lined with rice paddies and palm sugar stalls. Time it for dusk at Phnom Sampeau to see the bat exodus stream out like smoke.

  4. 4
    Kampot & Kep: pepper, caves, and the coast

    Base yourself on Kampot’s river for kayaking and colonial-era wandering, then tour a pepper farm for tastings. Day-trip to Kep for seafood and ocean breezes, plus a walk in Kep National Park.

  5. 5
    Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem island downtime

    Trade temples for turquoise shallows, snorkeling, and lazy beach days. Choose your bay carefully: some areas are quiet and restorative, others are built for late-night parties.

5-Day Itinerary
1
Phnom Penh essentials

Start with the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then take a thoughtful afternoon at Tuol Sleng. In the evening, stroll the riverside, eat at a busy local spot, and keep valuables secured in crowded areas.

2
Travel to Siem Reap + night markets

Take a daytime bus/van or short flight to Siem Reap and check into a centrally located area. Settle in with an easy evening: Pub Street adjacent lanes for food, then the night market for low-key browsing.

3
Angkor grand circuit

Do sunrise at Angkor Wat, then loop through Bayon and the Terrace of the Elephants before lunch and a midday break. Return for Ta Prohm and a sunset temple, carrying water and using sun protection.

4
Countryside and culture beyond Angkor

Visit a floating village on Tonlé Sap (choose an operator with ethical practices and clear pricing) or cycle the quieter backroads. Spend the evening at a circus-style performance (e.g., Phare) for contemporary Cambodian arts.

5
Battambang day trip or island extension

If you prefer towns and food, head to Battambang for the bamboo train and sunset bats at Phnom Sampeau. If you want pure relaxation, travel onward to Koh Rong/Samloem for a beach overnight and slower pace.

Things To Know
  • Keep phones and bags secured in tuk-tuks; bag-snatching from passing motorbikes is a common tourist-targeted crime in Phnom Penh.
  • Plan for heat and mosquitoes: use repellent (dengue risk), hydrate aggressively, and schedule temple touring early/late.
  • Tap water isn’t reliably safe—use sealed bottled/filtered water and be cautious with ice unless you trust the venue.
  • Road safety is a top risk: avoid riding motorbikes if inexperienced, use reputable taxi apps/known drivers, and wear helmets every time.
  • Carry small USD bills and check change; torn or heavily marked USD notes may be refused, and exchange counters vary widely in honesty.
Kids & Accessibility

Cambodia can work well for families thanks to friendly service, short travel distances between key sights, and plenty of kid-friendly food, but the heat and long temple days require pacing. Accessibility is mixed: uneven sidewalks, stairs at many temples, and limited step-free public transport mean mobility-impaired travelers often need a private car/driver and carefully chosen hotels.